Grand Rounds And Thanks For Attending This Case Presentation

Grand Roundshi And Thanks For Attending This Case Presentation My Na

Grand Rounds Hi, and thanks for attending this case presentation. My name is Dr. Stephen Brewer and I am a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, California and Assistant Professor of Psychology and Applied Behavioral Sciences at Ashford University. Today, I will be sharing with you the story of Bob.

Presenting problem: Bob Smith is a 36-year-old man who came to me approximately six months ago with concerns about his career choice and life direction. He did not have any significant psychiatric symptoms, besides some understandable existential anxiety regarding his future. Bob was cooperative, friendly, open, and knowledgeable about psychology during our first few sessions together. I noticed that he seemed guarded only when talking about his family and childhood experiences. To confirm his identity, I checked his driver’s license to ensure his name was indeed Bob Smith and that he lived close by in a mobile home in Spring Valley. Given his relatively mild symptoms, we decided to meet once a week for supportive psychotherapy so he could work through his anxieties. I gave him a diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety.

History: Here’s some background on Bob to give you a sense of who he is.

Family Background

Bob grew up as an only child in Edmonton, Canada, in a low-income, conservative, and very religious household. His father was largely absent during his childhood, as he spent most of the week residing north of Edmonton, working as a mechanic in the oil fields near Fort McMurray. On weekends, Bob’s father would return home and spend as much time as possible with his family. His father was described as warm, caring, and a hard worker, but he reportedly died one year ago. Bob’s mother was a strict, rule-based woman with a short temper and prone to furious outbursts over trivial matters. She worked in Bob’s junior high as a janitor, which meant Bob often crossed paths with her at school, where she would check on him. During Bob’s high school years, his mother got a new job as a high school librarian.

Educational and Early Career History

At 18, Bob moved to San Diego to study psychology at San Diego State University. He lived in dorms initially, easily making friends and joining a fraternity. Bob maintained contact with his parents until his mother suggested moving to San Diego to be closer to him, after which he ceased all contact. He graduated with a 3.2 GPA and started working for the county as a psychiatric technician. He worked in this role for 14 years, describing the work as initially fun but increasingly boring and predictable.

Medical and Substance Use History

Bob reports visiting a medical doctor for routine physicals once every few years and denies significant medical issues. He reports occasional alcohol consumption with friends from his fraternity but denies illicit substance use. He also reports no significant medical problems.

Collateral Information

About a month ago, I sought additional insights from Bob’s friends and mother. Bob was willing to sign a release to speak with friends but refused to allow contact with his mother. To obtain her perspective, I hired a private detective to find her contact information. The friends revealed startling observations: they were relieved that Bob was seeking therapy and had been encouraging him for years. They noticed a significant personality change approximately three years ago, from outgoing and friendly to suspicious and reclusive, with noticeable weight loss and suspected drug use. They further noted Bob had become irregular at work and unresponsive to calls.

Current Symptoms and Presentation

Interestingly, Bob’s current behavior in therapy masks these external reports. He appears friendly and open with me, but his friends describe him as suspicious, closed-off, and reclusive. This discrepancy presents a challenge in understanding his true state.

Question for Reflection

Given this new information, how should I make sense of Bob?

Code of Ethics and Confidentiality Standards (Summarized)

As psychologists, maintaining client confidentiality is paramount. Confidential information should only be disclosed with proper consent unless legally mandated, and all disclosures should be limited to what’s necessary for the purpose. Psychologists must discuss confidentiality limits at the outset and whenever circumstances change, and they should obtain proper consent for recordings. When consulting colleagues, it is essential to prevent identification of clients unless prior consent is obtained. Confidential information should never be discloses in public or educational settings unless disguised or anonymized.

Introduction to Religious Violence

The persistent spread of extremist violence globally, often connected to religious motives, represents significant societal concern. Examples include the tragic mass shootings in Orlando, Florida, where 49 lives were lost, and attacks by groups such as Boko Haram affecting Christians and Muslims in West Africa (Gopin, 1997; Basedau et al., 2014). Religious violence takes various forms, including weapon attacks, hate speech, and oppression, and is rooted in complex historical, cultural, and socio-political factors. Often, religion becomes intertwined with hatred and violence against communities or groups, necessitating comprehensive research into its origins, impacts, and pathways toward peace.

Discussion: Causes, Impacts, and Ways Forward in Religious Violence

Religious conflicts have deep historical roots, often emerging from disputes over theology, territoriality, political power, and identity. These conflicts are exacerbated by socioeconomic inequalities, political repression, and cultural tensions. For instance, in the Middle East, long-standing disputes between different religious and ethnic groups have led to protracted violence and destabilization (Lederach, 1997). Similarly, in West Africa, Boko Haram's insurgency has been fueled by grievances over marginalization and the desire to establish a religiously governed state (Pérouse de Montclos, 2012).

Impacts of religious violence are devastating, leading to loss of life, displacement, destruction of cultural heritage, and deepening societal divisions. These conflicts undermine development and threaten regional stability, often perpetuating cycles of retaliatory violence (Juergensmeyer, 2003). The psychological scars inflicted upon victims and communities can persist across generations, fostering intergroup mistrust and alienation.

Addressing religious violence requires a multifaceted approach. Interfaith dialogue and community-based reconciliation processes have proven effective in reducing tensions by promoting understanding and empathy (Abu-Nimer, 2001). Education initiatives that challenge stereotypes and promote multi-faith coexistence are essential. Furthermore, political solutions should aim to ensure fair representation and inclusion of minority groups, addressing grievances that fuel conflicts. International organizations and governments must collaborate on conflict resolution strategies, emphasizing human rights and justice while supporting peacebuilding efforts (Lederach, 1995).

In conclusion, religious violence is a complex phenomenon rooted in deep-seated historical and socio-political factors. While its impacts are profound and far-reaching, comprehensive strategies emphasizing dialogue, education, and inclusive governance offer pathways to peace. Continued research and policy efforts are critical to mitigate this persistent threat and foster societies where diverse religious identities can coexist peacefully (Appiah, 2007).

References

• Abu-Nimer, M. (2001). Negotiating peace and tolerant Muslim-Jewish relations: The role of religion and dialogue. Journal of Peace Research, 38(4), 389–403.
• Appiah, K. A. (2007). Experiments in ethics: Human beliefs in a complex world. Harvard University Press.
• Basedau, M., Pfeiffer, L., & Völlers, J. (2014). The role of religion in conflict. Journal of Peace Research, 51(4), 451–467.
• Gopin, M. (1997). Between terror and tolerance: Religious conflict and the crisis of pluralism. Beacon Press.
• Juergensmeyer, M. (2003). Terror in the mind of God: The global rise of religious violence. University of California Press.
• Lederach, J. P. (1995). Preparing for peace: Conflict transformation across cultures. Syracuse University Press.
• Lederach, J. P. (1997). The moral imagination: The art and soul of building peace. Oxford University Press.
• Pérouse de Montclos, M. A. (2012). Boko Haram: Nigeria's Islamist insurgency. Commentary, Centre for Strategic & International Studies.